Lupita Nyong'o Joins "Star Wars: Episode VII" Cast

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Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o is heading to a galaxy far, far away.

It was announced Monday on StarWars.com that Nyong'o is joining the cast of "Star Wars: Episode VII." Nyong'o, 31, was named best supporting actress at the Academy Awards in March for her role in "12 Years a Slave."

British actress Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series "Game of Thrones" as Brienne of Tarth, was also named to the cast.

"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of 'Episode VII,'" said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy in a statement. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."

Stars Steppin' Out

The casting news was revealed the same day images from the "Episode VII" location shoot in Abu Dhabi were leaked online via TMZ. They show new alien creatures and vehicles from the highly-anticapted next chapter of the science-fiction saga directed by J.J. Abrams.